Manchester United are edging closer to completing their first signings of the Erik ten Hag era after reaching agreements to bring both Tyrell Malacia and Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Wednesday, United have reached agreements with Feyenoord and Barcelona respectively to bring the Netherlands internationals to Manchester, subject to each of them passing medicals. They are set to join the club for an initial combined total of £69million.
United's pursuit of De Jong has been a lengthy process, after United first signalled their interest in the Barcelona midfielder in the second week of May. Their attempts to lure Malacia to Old Trafford have moved at pace, hijacking his proposed move to Lyon as recently as Tuesday afternoon.
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Both United and manager Ten Hag will hope that their expected arrivals at Old Trafford will spark a domino effect in terms of their summer recruitment drive, with the club hopeful of adding more faces to the squad before the end of the transfer window. But if United are to continue spending and adding to the squad, they also need to make sure several individuals head through the exit door at Old Trafford, not least those who have no long-term futures at the club.
United have already said good bye to six first-team squad members, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant all leaving the club. But given they all departed for free, United also need to try and bring in some money. MEN Sport has taken a look at nine players United could try and offload this summer to reduce the size of their squad and top up their transfer budget, given that a large chunk of that is set to be paid to Barcelona and Feyenoord for starters.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Understood to have been deemed surplus to requirements by Ten Hag, Wan-Bissaka's time at Old Trafford could end this summer. He has failed to kick on since joining from Crystal Palace for £50million three years ago and United need an upgraded option at right-back.
They will be forced to swallow a huge financial loss when selling him, but United need to cut their losses and offload players who are not making the necessary progress. They may need to find a replacement first, but United know he has not cut the mustard.
Phil Jones
United, despite wanting to sign a new central-defender this summer, must reduce their current number of options before bringing a in new one. Jones, who has signalled his desire to leave, stands out as being one of the most obvious candidates to offload, ahead of his contract expiring next summer.
However, although it's through no fault of his own, a tally of 13 appearances in the last three seasons means that suitors are in short supply. Nevertheless, United need to try and offload him in any way they can.
Eric Bailly
Like Jones, Bailly is another centre-back who United should be looking to move on this summer. Their decision to reward him with a new long-term contract last year has come back to bite them, with him making just seven appearances in all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign.
A lack of minutes last season means that clubs will not be queuing up in their droves to sign him, either, just as they won't be prepared to pay top dollar.
Axel Tuanzebe
Another centre-back that United may consider cutting ties with this summer is Tuanzebe. After joining Aston Villa on a season-long loan last summer, it was hoped that he would return to Old Trafford having benefitted from a full season of playing regular Premier League football.
Instead, he endured a disappointing spell at Villa Park and an even more frustrating time in Italy after joining Napoli on loan for the second half of the season in January. Now at the age of 24, Tuanzebe is not a youngster looking to make the grade. He needs to find a new permanent home to kick-start his career.
Alex Telles
With Malacia on the brink of joining United, Ten Hag will have a plethora of options to choose from at left-back if the club does not reduce its numbers in that area of the pitch.
Shaw is set to remain Ten Hag's first choice option, and logic would suggest Telles will be the fall guy.
Brandon Williams
Like Telles, Malacia's impending arrival at Old Trafford means that opportunities could prove limited for Williams this forthcoming season. His loan spell at Norwich City last term produced highs and lows, but he made it clear that he didn't want to return to Old Trafford just to warm the bench.
Therefore, it is highly likely that he will want to leave once again this summer, whether it be on loan or on a permanent basis. But with Malacia being added to the squad as a signing for the future, too, it only weakens his chances of becoming a first-team regular.
Andreas Pereira
Despite attracting interest from Premier League newcomers Fulham, attacking-midfielder Pereira, who is out-of-contract at United next summer, wants to stay at Flamengo, where he is currently on loan.
Regardless of whether Flamengo want him or not, United need to offload the Brazilian and command a fee for him while they can.
Tahith Chong
Dutch giants Feyenoord are reportedly interested in signing winger Chong on a permanent deal this summer. He is out of contract next summer, meaning it would make perfect sense for the Reds to command a fee for him while they can.
Antony Martial
After a failed loan spell at Sevilla, scoring just one goal in 12 matches, uncertainty surrounds Martial's future this summer.
Martial has had two good seasons in seven at United and his credit with supporters finally ran out last season.
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